2nd Punjab state Gatka Championship commences at Machhiwara

Machhiwara, Punjab (August 17, 2014): Two days Punjab state Gatka Championship (men & women) at Machhiwara (Ludhiana) begun on August 16. About 500 Gatka players from 17 districts’ teams are participating in this tournament under 14, 17, 19, 22 and 25 years events in single soti, farri-soti and weapons demonstration.

Speaking on the occasion ex-MLA Jagjivan Singh Khirnia advised the participants to update their martial techniques so that they could excel at domestic and international events. He assured all help to the Punjab Gatka Association for the promotion of traditional martial art so that this ancient art could flourish at overseas and enter into Olympics.

Gatka Tournament at Machhiwara

Gatka Federation of India General Secretary Harjeet Singh Grewal said that World Gatka Federation and Asian Gatka Federation has already constituted more than three dozen federations in different countries and organised national level gatka events in Nepal, UK, Canada, USA etc. He added that Asian Gatka Cup would be organised at Malaysia in the next February. “Dates for this event will be announced shortly after a meeting with Malaysian Gatka Federation”, he said.

Divulging details for the promotion of Gatka, Punjab Gatka Association coordinators Baljinder Singh Toor and Dr Deep Singh Chandigarh said that the Federation has chalked out various activities and had organised 48 gatka training camps and 53 gatka tournaments at state and national level. Avtar Singh Patiala said that second India level Gatka Championship will be hosted at Mastuana Sahib (Sangrur) in October this.